Hi, my name is Ramla Zareen. I am a beta reader and an aspiring author of light-hearted Romantic fiction. This blog was initiated by me but I now share it with Maha, my best friend and a beauty blogger, and it includes topics relevant to perfumes, beauty, wellness and lifestyle. Currently both of us are on a temporary break from this blog but visitors are always welcome to browse around. Thanks!

I am a mystery writer and I write two series. In every book I have to figure out how the characters and the story might relate to everyday life. Yes, even though there are crimes in the stories, the characters need to be as lifelike as possible. By the way, the books are lighter reading with a little humour included.One series is about Sandi Webster, a female private investigator. She may have to solve cases, or mysteries, but that doesn't change the fact that she has a romance with her partner, a menopausal mother, and a male employee who's growing and changing. In the midst of solving a crime, she still has to deal with everyday issues, like her mothers mood swings. She's not a loner and she has a best friend. I try to keep her as real as possible. We have relationships and busy lives, and so does she.The other series involves a Humphrey Bogart look-alike, Chris Cross, known as The Bogey Man. He's married with a young son, and the family often goes through typical family issues. Its just that there's usually a mystery attached to their everyday existence. In this case, Chris and his wife, Pamela, own a 1940s-themed restaurant which causes them to juggle all the parts of their busy lives. Chris uses a lot of forties slang when he speaks, and Pamela finds herself often rolling her eyes in amazement about life. Their son, Mikey, wants nothing more than to become involved in the mysteries, but the Crosses try to keep him safe and out of danger. Lastly, Chris's eccentric mother and quiet father move to town and turn everyone's lives upside down.So many of us have pets who are a big part of our lives. I added dogs in both series.In the "Sandi Webster Mystery Series", I added Bubba, a half wolf, half Golden retriever dog. He's based on a canine a one-time employer owned. He smiles a very toothy grin, as the real dog did, and it scares people because they think he's baring his teeth at them and he's so big. The construction office where I worked was out in the country and the real Bubba used to stay with me all day. When strangers came calling, he would sit between me and the stranger, smiling. It was his way of being protective, and I always had to explain that he was actually smiling. It still kept them at a distance, between his size and his facial expression.We have two yellow Labrador retrievers, and I added them to the "Bogey Man Mystery Series". They're called Sherlock and Watson in the stories. (I actually wish I had given them other names for the books, but its too late now.) Dogs have personalities, and these two are quite entertaining. In my latest book, How Now Purple Cow, a "Bogey Man Mystery Series ", there's a humorous scene involving Sherlock and Watson and their fear of the dark. Its based on a true story about my own Labs who are afraid of the dark.Why add dogs? There are many reasons, but one of the most important is that they're able to add comedy relief when necessary, just by being true to themselves. They also add a level of protectiveness, although sometimes they really have no idea what's going on. They just know that someone may be in trouble. I am working on a new Sandi Webster book and bringing in a new character a small dog named Clementine who happens to be a Chiweenie. You might laugh at that breed name, but she's actually half Chihuahua and half Dachshund. I chuckled when someone thought Chiweenie was the name of an American Indian tribe. Characters in books need to be as lifelike as possible so they'll be believable. Of course, this means including good people, bad people, odd character traits, clumsy people, athletic people, and every conceivable type of person I've ever known. So, is the lifestyle of people and animals included in books? Yes, and it can be quite entertaining. As an author I try to be true to life, the stories, and myself.I hope my books take you on an interesting journey through life with their characters.

Me too. Really looking forward to reading the new soon to be on the shelve books, plus all the ones I have missed. Tomorrow I will go to the library. Great blog. Becoming more interesting as time passes. Fantastic reading the latest post. Thank you Marja.

Marja, I enjoyed reading about your cozy mysteries. I agree that characters are so important especially in a cozy mystery. That's why I love cozies so much. I want to know what my favorite characters are up to.

Both of your series sound interesting. Congratulations and best wishes. I will look your series up. Thank you.

Maha, thanks for featuring Marja here. I enjoy her books and recommend them to anyone who likes a well-written mystery with lovable characters (including Bubba) and intriguing plots laced with humor and romance.

Marja,I've said this before and I'll say it again because I think it's worthy of being repeated: I call your books, both series, "feel good mysteries." No matter what problems I'm having in my "real" life, reading one of your novels always makes me feel better. Thank you!

Hi Marja, just finished How Now Purple Cow, and loved it! I'm very fond of The Bogey Man and Pamela and Mikey, but the sisters, the parents, the dogs, the houses, the restaurant--it's just such a delightful visit with people I like. Whenever I read your books, I "feel" good, a very very good thing! Keep 'em coming my friend...

Talk about timing! I just finished your book, Rhodes The Mojave-Stone last night and couldn't put it down. Thank you for stopping in and letting me know how much you enjoyed How Now Purple Cow. I'm so glad when I know I've entertained someone.

ABOUT ME

Hi, my name is Ramla Zareen and I was born on 23rd January, 1984. I am originally from Pakistan but have been settled in Germany since 2006, where I live with my husband and daughter, and am now officially a German national.

Reading and writing are my most favourite pastimes and I am happiest when immersed in the wonderful world of fiction.My favourite genres to read are Golden-Age Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy and Chick-Lit.

These days I am writing a light-hearted Romantic novella, in the hope that it will give at least half as much pleasure to others as the books by my favourite authors have given me.

It's always a pleasure to become friends with those who share my love for books so please feel free to connect with me, thanks! :-)